Behind the heroes in a half shell

Where did the idea come from?
Comic books [in the early ’80s] focused on mutants and ninjas, with lots of teenage superheroes. We were trying to think of a silly story about ninjas; like, what’s the least acrobatic animal character? Turtles are slow and ponderous. [Cocreator Kevin Eastman and I] were bored, riding a bus to a copy shop in New Hampshire, and we talked about these bus-kicking turtles who would jump out and kick the side of the vehicle.

What do you think made the Turtles so popular from the beginning?
The Turtles are strong, capable and smart. They can handle trouble, but they don’t go looking for it.

Why did you set the series in New York?
[Eastman and I] read so many Marvel Comics, and every one was set in NYC. But it’s not a New York that exists. With the TV show, people complained that there was never anyone on the streets. That was a budget thing with the animation. In scenes where the Turtles run through NYC streets, there was never anyone in the streets—that was to save money. It’s a faux New York.

Is there a particular high point in the past 25 years of Turtle history?
The first live-action movie. It’s difficult to translate what’s on a drawn page into 3-D form. We were fortunate to get Jim Henson’s people to do the Turtle costumes, and they did a fabulous job.

What goes through your mind when you see how nostalgic people get?
It’s pretty amazing and humbling to have created something that has gone this far. I enjoy going to shows and conventions and meeting people, especially artists. They say the Turtles inspired them.

Any strange experiences with hard-core TMNT fans?
I didn’t encounter this, but I saw it online: A woman had taken her poodle, shaved and dyed it to look like a Turtle. I appreciate the technical skill, but if dogs have the capability to feel embarrassed, that dog must have been.

Which Turtle are you?
I’m Donatello. He’s a pacifist, a gadget guy, a geek. That’s what I am.

NEXT Peter Laird’s top four onscreen Turtle moments